The Federal Government is set to expand Nigeria’s livestock sector, which currently contributes more than $32 billion annually to the nation’s economy, President Bola Tinubu has said.
Tinubu, represented by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, disclosed this on Monday in Abuja while declaring open the 9th All Africa Conference on Animal Agriculture.
He said the administration was implementing measures to expand the sector’s economic contribution by more than doubling its current value and positioning Nigeria as a leading hub for livestock production and processing in Africa.
“Our national strategy aims to more than double the sector’s economic contributions to position Nigeria as a leading hub for livestock production and processing in Africa,” Tinubu said.
The President said livestock remained a major source of food, employment and economic opportunities for millions of Nigerians, noting that the sector had significant potential for further growth.
He said Nigeria currently had more than 58 million cattle, 64 million sheep, 124 million goats and 660 million poultry, stressing that the government was committed to unlocking the full potential of the livestock value chain.
“Livestock remains a major source of food, employment and economic opportunities for millions of Nigerians,” he said.
Tinubu said the establishment of the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development in July 2024 was a major step towards expanding and modernising the sector.
“The establishment of the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development marked the beginning of a comprehensive national livestock transformation programme,” he said.
According to him, the ministry was established to move livestock production from largely subsistence and traditional practices to “a modern, technology-driven, commercially competitive and globally integrated industry.”
He said the government had approved institutional reforms based on the recommendations of the Presidential Committee on Livestock Reforms to strengthen governance, improve productivity, promote peaceful livestock production systems and attract private-sector investment.
Tinubu identified the National Livestock Growth Acceleration Strategy as a key initiative for driving expansion across the sector.
“The strategy focuses on increasing livestock productivity, strengthening value chains, improving animal health services, expanding commercial feed production, enhancing livestock genetics, promoting climate-smart production systems, improving peacebuilding, and positioning Nigeria as a regional hub for livestock investment and exports,” he said.
The President said the government was also promoting ranching and modern livestock production systems to increase productivity, strengthen livelihoods and reduce conflicts associated with traditional livestock practices.
“We are promoting modern livestock production systems that can improve productivity, strengthen livelihoods and contribute to peaceful coexistence,” he said.
He said investments were being encouraged across the livestock value chain, including dairy, meat processing, leather, feed milling and other critical infrastructure.
On dairy production, Tinubu said the administration was taking steps to increase domestic milk production, reduce dependence on imported dairy products and conserve foreign exchange.
“Our ongoing dairy transformation programme seeks to double local milk production through improved genetics, better nutrition, modern breeding systems, and stronger private sector participation,” he said.
He said the programme would support improved breeds, pasture development, commercial feed production, milk collection infrastructure, private dairy investments and modern processing facilities.
Tinubu also identified the livestock value chain as a major opportunity for job creation, particularly for Nigeria’s growing youth population.
“Millions of jobs can be created for our growing youth population in Africa. The Nigerian government is committed to fully optimising the value chain,” he said.
He added that the government was working to increase the participation of women and young people in livestock businesses through improved access to finance, innovation, digital technology, value-chain development and private-sector partnerships.
The President called for stronger cooperation among African countries, noting that animal diseases, climate change, food insecurity, trade barriers and transboundary livestock movements required coordinated solutions.
“The future of Africa’s livestock industry depends on innovation, science, technology, and regional cooperation. No country can achieve sustainable livestock transformation in isolation,” he said.
Tinubu said Nigeria would continue to support regional collaboration under the African Continental Free Trade Area, particularly in livestock production and trade.
He urged delegates at the conference to develop practical recommendations on animal health, disease control, climate-smart production, livestock genetics, regional trade, youth and women empowerment, research, innovation and investment.
The President assured participants that Nigeria was ready to work with African countries, development partners, research institutions and the private sector to expand the sector and build a productive, sustainable and globally competitive livestock industry.
“Nigeria is ready to work with African countries, development partners, research institutions and the private sector to build a productive, sustainable and globally competitive livestock industry,” he said.
The President added: “Together, we can transform Africa from a continent with enormous livestock potential into a global leader in livestock production.”
He subsequently declared the conference open and reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to providing leadership in Africa’s livestock transformation.